Bata India pushes ahead affordability initiatives to drive volume-based growth

In an adverse business climate, footwear major Bata India Ltd. focused on providing affordable products across categories to drive growth, it’s MD & CEO said.

“Amidst headwinds accentuated by fluctuating weather patterns and geopolitical uncertainties, we pushed ahead our affordability initiatives across categories to drive volume-based growth,” said Gunjan Shah, MD & CEO, Bata India Ltd.

“We are encouraged by strong resilience in our premium brands like Hush Puppies Comfit and Floatz,” he said.

The company’s Zero Base Merchandising Project—aimed at optimising assortments and enhancing in-store experience—was scaled up to 194 stores during the first quarter. 

It also launched several new collections, including the Tropical Breeze range, Power Easy Slide and Power Move+, alongside the “Ease, Please” campaign with brand ambassador Vir Das introducing the new Office Sneakers line.

The company expanded its footprint with 20 new franchise stores, focusing on semi-urban markets and town expansion. 

“We continue to maintain a balanced approach between managing near-term challenges and investing in long-term growth drivers,” Mr. Shah said. 

“We are optimistic about consumption recovery towards balance of this year, backed by our strong market positioning and wide network while maintaining strong focus on cost efficiencies,” he added.

In Q1 FY26 the company’s revenue from operations stood at ₹942 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, broadly stable compared to the same period last year. Net profit was down 70% YoY to ₹52 crore from ₹174 crore a year ago. 

However, it reported a steady operational performance in the first quarter of FY26, with Earning Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) rising 7% year-on-year, driven by disciplined cost control and sharper inventory management.

The company attributed its operational gains to ongoing initiatives that improve stock turns, forecast accuracy, and merchandising agility.

The quarter also included an exceptional cost of ₹4.3 crore linked to strategic initiatives aimed at making the business more asset-light and agile.

 Adjusted for last year’s one-time gain from a land sale, the company delivered EBIT growth YoY, it said.

With over 1,950 stores, a franchise network, and omni-channel presence, Bata India said it continues to position itself as a market leader in “blending fashion and comfort”, catering to over 260,000 customers daily.